Polymeric radiators

Abstract

A polymeric radiator having front and back radiator halves, that cooperate to define a primary coolant passage and a series of secondary coolant passages. The primary coolant passage includes integral internal baffles extending inwardly from the radiator halves. The internal baffles define passageways to allow coolant to flow through the radiator. Preferably, the passageways do not intersect the mating edges of the front and back radiator halves to enhance the structural integrity of the radiator.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A polymeric radiator comprising: a polymeric front radiator half;   a polymeric back radiator half mating with said front radiator half to define a plurality of coolant flow passages, said flow passages include a primary flow passage and a secondary flow passage, said secondary passage including an air flow channel and being in fluid communication with said primary flow passage;   said front and back radiator halves each integrally formed with internal baffle walls dividing said primary passage into cells, said internal baffle walls defining undercut openings allowing coolant to pass through said internal baffle walls;   an inlet pipe in fluid communication with said flow passages; and   an outlet pipe in fluid communication with said flow passage.   
     
     
       2. The radiator of claim 1 wherein at least one of said internal baffle walls is oriented at a skewed angle with respect to the direction of flow of coolant. 
     
     
       3. A polymeric radiator comprising: front and back polymeric radiator halves that define a space for the flow of coolant, said front and back radiator halves each including integral peripheral flanges, said space including communicating primary and secondary flow passages, said front and back radiator halves each integrally formed with a plurality of internal baffle walls dividing said primary passage into cells, said internal walls defining undercut openings allowing coolant to pass through said internal baffle walls, at least one of said plurality of internal baffle walls oriented at an angle with respect to the flow of coolant through said primary passage, said secondary passage being a tubular passage having longitudinally opposite open ends, wherein both of said open ends are in fluid communication with said primary passage, said primary passage extending substantially around the periphery of said radiator to surround said secondary passages;   means for sealing said flanges together;   inlet means for allowing coolant to enter said space; and   outlet means for allowing coolant to exit said space.   
     
     
       4. A radiator comprising: a polymeric front radiator half that cooperates with a polymeric back radiator half to define a primary flow passage surrounding a plurality of secondary flow passages, each of said radiator halves including an integral peripheral flange, said primary and secondary flow passages being in fluid communication with one another to allow coolant to flow throughout said radiator, said front and back radiator halves including a plurality of integral internal baffle walls dividing said primary flow passage into cells, said internal walls defining undercut openings allowing coolant to pass through said internal baffle walls, at least one of said plurality of internal baffle walls oriented at an angle with respect to the flow of coolant through said primary passage, said secondary flow passages being tubular passages and having longitudinally opposite open ends; both of said open ends of each of said secondary flow passages being in fluid communication with said primary flow passage, said primary passage extending substantially around the periphery of said radiator to surround said secondary passages;   means for sealing said flanges together;   inlet and outlet means for allowing coolant to enter and exit said radiator; and   at least one of said front and back radiator halves having integrally formed flow deflectors extending between said radiator halves.   
     
     
       5. The radiator of claim 4 wherein said radiator halves define a plurality of air flow channels, each extending through one of said secondary flow passages.